Greater New Orleans

Our times: The first modern Olympics, 1896

The first modern Olympics made headlines in New Orleans in 1896. The “Hellenic Games” were held over the course of two weeks in April in Athens, with 14 nations taking part.

U.S. athlete James Connolly became the first champion of the Athens Games when he won the triple jump, and Americans took the top prize in a number of other categories as well, including the high jump, long jump, discus and 25-meter pistol shoot.

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In the marathon, 24-year-old Greek water carrier Spyridon Louis became a national hero when he came from behind to win the race from the city of Marathon to Olympic Stadium, covering the 24.9-mile course in just under three hours.

The Daily Picayune included almost daily coverage of the games and festivities going on half a world away.